STEPHEN Folan says Finn Harps took belief from their half-time talk at The Brandywell on Monday.
Harps earned their first ever League win on the Lone More Road as Adam Foley’s 89th minute goal sealed the historic come-from-behind victory.
James Akintunde had put Derry in front, against the run of play, in the first half, before a deflected Karl O’Sullivan strike drew Harps level early in the second half.
“We said at half-time that we had to keep a strong character, get up the pitch and get after them more,” Folan told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.
“We had to make the gaps a lot smaller. Once we done that, all the momentum was with us and I felt that we could go on and win the game. We were resolute and we defended really well.
“We had to stay at it and keep going. The momentum was with us when we got the equaliser.”
Harps lived dangerously and, deep into the Derry night, Eoin Toal struck the frame of the Harps goal with a chance to debt the visitors. At 1-1, Jack Malone hit a post and Harps prevailed.
Folan said: “They ht the post and the crossbar in the last few minutes, but other games we’ve drawn that we should have won. These games even themselves out. It’s swings and roundabouts.”
The defender hailed the influence of Man of the Match Barry McNamee, who provided the delicious pass for Foley’s match winner.
He said: “That’s what Barry is good at. He would say himself that he needs to add more goals and assists. He is the one player who can make things happen. He can come into his own and get better even more.”
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